A speed funding event aimed at linking Leeds start-ups and small businesses with funding houses and investors is set to take place in the city centre on Wednesday/May 24.

Called Show me the Money, the two-hour-long cash whirlwind will see business founders work the room looking to hook up with 12 different investment initiatives with a view to making deals to secure seed funding or growth capital.

The event is a collaboration between small business support group Enterprise Nation, HSBC and leading UK professional services firm KPMG.

Emma Jones, founder of Enterprise Nation said: “While it’s not advisable to seek investment if you don’t actually need it, for some companies it’s an absolute necessity to take them to the next level. But how do you know what sort of investment is right for you? How long does crowdfunding take? How do I quickly make SEIS work and how much equity should small firms offer to angels and VCs? What is a Start Up Loan? These are the questions we hear every day at Enterprise Nation.

“This event will not only answer them, but introduce these businesses to the right sort of investment and the people who can offer it. It’s time to work that room fast!”

Investors and funders will be joined by Leeds pop-up cocktail bar firm Zest Mixology, based at the Dolly Lane Business Centre. It’s founder, Murdo Macleod, 40, will be talking about his experience of taking on board seed funding from HSBC in 2011, followed by a larger sum earlier this year to finance his national expansion.

He now runs an operation in Leeds and London, employs 10 full time staff and a uses a cohort of 50 expert mixologists for his bespoke private and corporate events.

Murdo said: “In 2011 I walked into the HSBC branch in Crossgate and had a meeting with the relationships manager armed with my ideas. She said it was the best business plan she had ever seen and leant me £15,000.

“It allowed me to buy the kit and events equipment I needed to start Zest Mixology and I paid back the loan in 24 months.

“Since then the company has seen consecutive double digit growth for five years. This year we have been back to HSBC to borrow a much larger sum to fund our Southern expansion including equipment, infrastructure and local employees for a really exciting new project along the Thames.

“Taking on board finance is a big decision. You need plenty of advice and an excellent plan to make it work.”